Sports training device

ABSTRACT

A sports training device comprising a handle of a sporting implement with a flexible, elastic band attached at one end at or proximate to one end of the handle. The opposite end of the band comprises a clip, loop, hook, or other fastening device, or combination thereof. The size, weight, and general configuration of the handle varies depending on the sport, and is generally intended to simulate the user holding the corresponding sporting equipment (e.g., baseball bat, softball bat, golf club, tennis racquet, hockey stick, lacrosse stick, cricket bat, and the like). During use, the band is attached to a relatively stable and fixed object, and the user performs the swing against the resistance created by the elastic band.

This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/440,115 filed Feb. 7, 2011, by Terry Warren, and isentitled to that filing date for priority. The specification, figuresand complete disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/440,115are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a device and apparatus for sports training.More specifically, this invention relates to a device and apparatus forimproving a user's ability to swing a bat or other sports equipment withgreater speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of sports training equipment and techniques are known in theprior art. However, prior art techniques for sports that require hittinga ball or object with a piece of sports equipment like a bat, racquet,club or stick typically require large facilities that direct multipleballs or objects at the athlete in training. Strength and speedconditioning and training for the same athlete, conversely, requiresthat the athlete train in a weight room or similar facility with otherequipment, without using their specialized sports equipment.

Accordingly, what is needed is a device that allows an athlete toperform strength and speed conditioning and training while using theirspecialized sports equipment.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention comprises a handle of asporting implement with a flexible, elastic band attached at one end ator proximate to one end of the handle. In one embodiment, the band maypass through a hole or eyelet in the handle. The opposite end of theband comprises a clip, loop, hook, or other fastening device, orcombination thereof.

The size, weight, and general configuration of the handle variesdepending on the sport, and is generally intended to simulate the userholding the corresponding sporting equipment. For example, the handlemay correspond to a handle for a bat for baseball or softball, a golfclub, a hockey stick, a lacrosse, a tennis racquet, or a cricket bat. Insome embodiments, the handle may comprise the actual handle from thesporting equipment (i.e., with the opposing end of the equipmentremoved). Alternatively, the handle may comprise a simple cylindrical orsemi-cylindrical stick or rod of various lengths, weights, andcircumferences.

The handle may be made of any suitable material, including, but notlimited to, wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, hard rubber, orother suitable material, or combinations thereof. The handle may belabeled, polished, coated, or treated in a similar fashion to thecorresponding sporting equipment.

In several exemplary embodiments, the handles have the followingdimensions:

Bat—handle 12 to 14 inches long, band 3′6″ to 4 feet long

Golf club—handle 18 to 21 inches long, band 3 to 5 feet long

Tennis racquet—handle 13 to 14 inches long, 6 inch top, band 3 to 5 feetlong

Hockey stick—handle 48 to 50 inches long, band 4 to 6 feet long

Lacrosse stick—handle 30 to 40 inches long, band 3 to 5 feet long

Cricket bat—handle 24 to 30 inches long, band 3 to 5 feet long

The band may be made of any suitable elastic material, such as rubber,nylon, or the like. The band may be tubular, elliptical, flattened, orany similar configuration. One end is attached or affixed to one end ofthe handle (generally, the end opposite where the user is gripping thehandle), and the other end is attached via a loop or clip or otherfastener to a relatively stable and fixed object, such as a door handleon a closed door, top of a door, a table leg, a stair rail post, a postset in the ground, a hitch on a truck or car, a fence post, or the like.If a clip or loop is used, the clip or loop may be used to directlyfasten the band to a fence or similar object. Alternatively, the bandmay be passed around the stable and fixed object, and the handle andband passed through the loop or clip (i.e., fastened to itself). In yetanother alternative embodiment, the end of the band may be closed in adoor so that the end of the band with the clip or loop cannot passthrough.

The user then stands an appropriate distance away from the stable andfixed object so that there is some tension in the band when the handleis held in the ready position (i.e., for initiating the swing), and thenperforms the swing against the resistance created by the elastic band.The handle is returned to the ready position, and the action isrepeated. This exercise helps to increase strength, swing speed and theperformance of the swing mechanics through training muscle memory. For asport like baseball, this results in increased bat velocity and hittingdistance.

In another embodiment, the band is not elastic, and may be comprised ofrubber, nylon, rope, cotton, plastic, or metal (e.g., a cable or chain).The band then may be attached through a pulley system, or the like, to aweight or weights which provide resistance during the swinging motion.Alternatively, the band may be fastened to a short elastic or flexiblematerial, similar to the elastic form of the band described above, whichis then in turn anchored in a manner similar to that described above.

The band may be permanently or removably fastened to the end of thehandle. In one embodiment, the band is passed through a ¼ inch to ½ inchhole 20 in the end of the handle, and fastened or tied in place.

The length of the band may vary. In one exemplary embodiment, the bandis two to six feet in length. In another embodiment, the length of theband is adjustable. In yet another embodiment, the bands can bereplaced, so that bands with varying resistances can be used. Thus, as auser becomes stronger, bands with increased resistances may be used.Alternatively, different bands can be used with the same handle forusers with different strength and skill levels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a view of a device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view of another device in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a view of another device in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a view of another device in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a view of another device in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a view of another device in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7-9 show views of a device in use with a door and a fence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In various exemplary embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 1-6, the presentinvention comprises a handle of a sporting implement 2 with a flexible,elastic band 4 attached at one end at or proximate to one end of thehandle. In one embodiment, the band may pass through a hole or eyelet 20in the handle. The opposite end of the band comprises a clip 8, loop 6,hook, or other fastening device, or combination thereof.

The size, weight, and general configuration of the handle 2 variesdepending on the sport, and is generally intended to simulate the userholding the corresponding sporting equipment. For example, the handle 2may correspond to a bat handle for baseball or softball (see FIG. 1), agolf club handle (see FIG. 2), a hockey stick (see FIG. 3), a lacrossestick handle (see FIG. 4), a tennis (or racquetball or squash orbadminton) racquet (see FIG. 5), or a cricket bat handle (see FIG. 6).In some embodiments, the handle 2 may comprise the actual handle fromthe sporting equipment (i.e., with the opposing end of the equipmentremoved, as shown in FIGS. 1-6). Alternatively, the handle 2 maycomprise a simple cylindrical or semi-cylindrical stick or rod ofvarious lengths, weights, and circumferences.

The handle may be made of any suitable material, including, but notlimited to, wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, hard rubber, orother suitable material, or combinations thereof. The handle may belabeled, polished, coated, or treated in a similar fashion to thecorresponding sporting equipment.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the handle corresponds to abat handle, and is approximately 12 inches to 14 inches in length, witha band 3.5 to 4 feet in length. The other figures show embodiments withthe following dimensions:

Golf club—handle 18 to 21 inches long, band 3 to 5 feet long

Tennis racquet—handle 13 to 14 inches long, 6 inch top, band 3 to 5 feetlong

Hockey stick—handle 48 to 50 inches long, band 4 to 6 feet long

Lacrosse stick—handle 30 to 40 inches long, band 3 to 5 feet long

Cricket bat—handle 24 to 30 inches long, band 3 to 5 feet long

The band 4 may be made of any suitable elastic material, such as rubber,nylon, or the like. The band may be tubular, elliptical, flattened, orany similar configuration. One end is attached or affixed to one end ofthe handle (generally, the end opposite where the user is gripping thehandle), and the other end is attached via the loop 6 or clip 8 or otherfastener to a relatively stable and fixed object, such as a door handleon a closed door, top of a door, a table leg, a stair rail post, a postset in the ground, a hitch on a truck or car, a fence post, or the like.If a clip or loop is used, the clip or loop may be used to directlyfasten the band to a fence or similar object. Alternatively, the bandmay be passed around the stable and fixed object, and the handle andband passed through the loop or clip (i.e., fastened to itself). In yetanother alternative embodiment, the end of the band may be closed in adoor so that the end of the band with the clip or loop cannot passthrough.

As shown in FIG. 7-9, the user then stands an appropriate distance awayfrom the stable and fixed object so that there is some tension in theband when the handle is held in the ready position (i.e., for initiatingthe swing), and then performs the swing against the resistance createdby the elastic band. The handle is returned to the ready position, andthe action is repeated. This exercise helps to increase strength, swingspeed and the performance of the swing mechanics through training musclememory. For a sport like baseball, this results in increased batvelocity and hitting distance.

In another embodiment, the band is not elastic, and may be comprised ofrubber, nylon, rope, cotton, plastic, or metal (e.g., a cable or chain).The band then may be attached through a pulley system, or the like, to aweight or weights which provide resistance during the swinging motion.Alternatively, the band may be fastened to a short elastic or flexiblematerial, similar to the elastic form of the band described above, whichis then in turn anchored in a manner similar to that described above.

The band may be permanently or removably fastened to the end of thehandle. In one embodiment, the band is passed through a ¼ inch to ½ inchhole 20 in the end of the handle, and fastened or tied in place.

The length of the band may vary. In one exemplary embodiment, the bandis two to six feet in length. In another embodiment, the length of theband is adjustable. In yet another embodiment, the bands can bereplaced, so that bands with varying resistances can be used. Thus, as auser becomes stronger, bands with increased resistances may be used.Alternatively, different bands can be used with the same handle forusers with different strength and skill levels.

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examplesdescribed herein have been chosen and described in order to bestillustrate the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to bestutilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Eventhough specific embodiments of this invention have been described, theyare not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations thatwill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A sports training device, comprising: a handle with a first andsecond end, wherein said handle is configured to simulate a piece ofsporting equipment; and an elastic band with a first and second end, thefirst end of the elastic band attached at or proximate to the second endof the handle, said elastic band further comprising a loop at orproximate to the second end of the elastic band.
 2. The sports trainingdevice of claim 1, further comprising a clip or hook removably attachedto the loop in the elastic band.
 3. The sports training device of claim1, wherein the elastic band is removably attached to the handle.
 4. Thesports training device of claim 3, wherein the elastic band can bereplaced by one or more elastic bands of different lengths orelasticity, or a combination thereof.
 5. The sports training device ofclaim 1, wherein the handle is configured to simulate a baseball orsoftball bat handle.
 6. The sports training device of claim 1, whereinthe handle is configured to simulate a golf club handle.
 7. The sportstraining device of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured to simulatea tennis or other racquet.
 8. The sports training device of claim 1,wherein the handle is configured to simulate a hockey stick handle. 9.The sports training device of claim 1, wherein the handle is configuredto simulate a lacrosse stick handle.
 10. The sports training device ofclaim 1, wherein the handle is configured to simulate a cricket bathandle.
 11. A method of using a sports training device, said sportstraining device comprising a handle with a first and second end, whereinsaid handle is configured to simulate a piece of sporting equipment, andan elastic band with a first and second end, the first end of theelastic band attached at or proximate to the second end of the handle,said elastic band further comprising a clip or loop at or proximate tothe second end of the elastic band, the method comprising the steps of:removably attaching the second end of the elastic band to a stationaryor fixed object; gripping the handle at or proximate to the first end inthe manner in which the piece of sporting equipment would normally begripped; standing at a position facing away from the stationary or fixedobject with the handle in the ready position appropriate for the sport,such that there is some tension in the elastic band; swinging the handleforward against the resistance created by the elastic band; andreturning the handle to the ready position.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the swinging and returning steps are repeated.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the step of attaching comprises placing the loop overa door handle, post, or similar object.
 14. The method of claim 11,wherein the step of attaching comprises fastening the clip to a fence orsimilar object.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the elastic band isremovably attached to the handle, and can be replaced by one or moreelastic bands of different lengths or elasticity, or a combinationthereof.